Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HAGBERRY, n. Also hackberry (Per. 1736–7 List of trees in Atholl MSS.; Ags. 1808 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Ags. 1956); hawk-berry (Slg. 1886 B. & H. 245); haklberry (Per. 1965 Scots Mag. (March) 530). The bird cherry, Prunus padus (Sc. 1777 J. Lightfoot Flora Scotica I. 253, Lnk. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XV. 25; Bnff. 1880 J. F. S. Gordon Chrons. Keith 291; Nai. 1900 R. Thomson Nat. Hist. Highl. Par. 27; Mry. 1935 J. Burgess Flora Mry. 9, Abd., Kcb., Dmf. 1956). Also in n.Eng. dial. [n.Sc. hɑg-, sm.Sc. hɑk-]Abd. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XI. 191:
There is some natural wood along the banks of the Don and the Bogie, consisting of aller, birch, and some hagberry.Sc. 1818 in Lockhart Scott xl.:
Tom is very costive about trees, and talks only of 300 poplars. I shall send at least double that number; also some hag-berries.Gall. 1822 Scots Mag. (Aug.) 228:
Blaeberries, wild strawberries, rasps, hack-berries, sloes, nuts.Bwk. 1853 G. Johnston Botany E. Borders 58:
The shrub is called Hackwood, and the fruit Hackberry or Hagberry.Ayr. 1872 Sc. Naturalist 54:
In Ayrshire we find the Crab-apple (Pyrus Malus) called the Scribe-tree, and the Bird-cherry (Prunus Padus), Hagberry.
